Selection apparatus



3, 1968 J. E. HICKERSON ETAL 3,397,387

SELECTION APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. 2

FIG. I

INVENTORS JOHN E. HICKERSON HENRY R. KRUSPE BY M M ATTORNEY 13, 1968 J. E. HICKERSON ETAL 3,397,387

SELECT ION APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 11. 1964 3, 1968 J. E. HICKERSON ETAL 3,

SELECTION APPARATUS Filed Dec. 11, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 9

Y//// l\ \V //7) United States Patent 01 hoe 3,397,387 Patented Aug. 13, 1968 3,397,387 SELECTION APPARATUS John E. Hickerson and Henry R. Kruspe, Lexington, Ky.,

assignors to International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 11, 1964, Ser. No. 417,579 22 Claims. (Cl. 340-164) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A selection apparatus includes a movable actuating member that is adapted to be connected to driving means for movement through a cycle. During the movement of the movable actuating member by the driving means, the actuating member passes one or more information stations with each of the stations having movable means adapted to be actuated by the actuating member during movement of the actuating member by the driving means. The actuating member may be moved into engagement with one or more of the movable means during the move ment of the actuating member through its cycle. The selection apparatus has means to stop the actuating member at the completion of a cycle of movement of the actuating member.

This invention relates to a selection apparatus and, more particularly, to a selection apparatus for sending or receiving electrical pulses of a signaling system.

In coded signaling systems, a plurality of electrical pulses is supplied to various code bit or information stations. One arrangement for supplying these signals is to utilize a wire for each of the electrical pulses to each of the various information stations including a wire for the pulse to start reception of the signals and a wire for the pulse to stop reception of the signals. This construction requires a switch arrangement.

.The present invention satisfactorily eliminates the foregoing problems by using only a single wire to supply all electrical signals including the start pulse, the information pulses, and the stop pulse through a single wire. Thus, the use of the single wire not only eliminates the various wires, which are utilized in other signaling systems, but also eliminates the switching problems.

In another type of coded signaling systems, the electrical signals are received or transmitted by a mechanical rotary device having a plurality of magnets. One magnet is utilized to start the rotary device, a second magnet is utilized to provide the electrical signals to the device, and a third magnet is employed to stop the rotary device in response to the stop signal. The present invention eliminates the need of a plurality of magnets for these various operations by utilizing a single magnet, which is responsive to the start pulse, the code bit or information pulses, and the stop pulse.

In prior devices using magnets, the intertia of the clutch or magnet mechanism is substantial so that a large force is necessary for actuation. Thus, if the electrical signal is weak, the magnet or clutch may not respond. The present invention overcomes this problem by utilizing a low inertia clutch wherein the magnet actuates the movable mechanism in response to weak signals.

Furthermore, a high inertia clutch mechanism also requires a longer period for actuation and greater power. Thus, the high inertia clutch mechanism reduces the speed of operation since suflicient time must be permitted for actuation of the clutch. The low inertia clutch of the present invention responds quickly to a signal so that the speed of operation may be increased.

An object of this invention is to provide a selection apparatus requiring only a single actuator for both starting and receiving electrical signals.

Another object of this invention is to provide a selection apparatus for serially receiving or sending electrical signals.

A further object of this invention is to provide a selection apparatus in which only a single magnet functions to respond to all electrical signals including both starting and stopping signals.

Accordingly, this invention relates to a selection apparatus having an actuating member for engaging spaced movable portions of information stations. A single responsive means such as a magnet, for example, is used both to connect the actuating member to its driving means and to move the actuating member into engagement with the spaced movable portions of the information stations during movement of the actuating member by its driving means.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawmgs.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one form of the selection apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the information stations of the selection apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view, partly in section, of the selection apparatus of FIG. 1 including a schematic wiring diagram.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view, partly in section, of the selection apparatus of FIG. 1 with the cam ring and the stop omitted for clarity purposes.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view, partly in elevation, of a portion of the selection apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view, partly in section, of another embodiment of a portion of the selection apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a portion of the selection apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 8-11 are sectional views, partly in plan, illustrating the sequence of operation of the modification of FIG. 7.

Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a fixed ring 10. The ring 10 has an annular ratchet 11 disposed on one side thereof. The ratchet 11 is formed integral with a plate 12 having a centrally disposed hub 14.

The hub 14 of the ratchet 11 is driven by a motor 15 (see FIG. 3) through a belt 16. The belt 16 connects a pulley 17 on the hub 14 to a pulley 18 on a shaft 19 of the motor 15. The hub 14 is rotatably mounted in a fixed support 20 (see FIG. 1).

A disc 21, which is preferably formed of plastic, is rotatably mounted on a fixed support 22 through its shaft 23. An actuating arm or member 24, which is a spring leaf, has one end attached to the disc 21 by suitable fastening means such as rivets 25, for example. The actuating member 24 is spaced from the disc 21 by a 3 spacer 26 (see FIGS. 1 and 5), which forms part of the connection of the actuating member 24 to the disc 21. A pawl 27, which is a spring leaf, has spaced legs 28 attached to the disc 21 through suitable fastening means such as rivets 29. As shown in FIG. 5, the pawl 27- is disposed closer to the ring than the actuating member 24. As shown in FIG. 5, both the pawl 27 and the actuating member 24 are on one side of the ring 10 and the ratchet 11 is on the other side of the ring 10 in the nonrotating position of the actuating member 24. I

Since each of the actuating member 24 and the pawl 27 is a spring leaf, both are resiliently urged toward the disc 21 and away from the ring 10. Additionally, the combined weight of the plastic disc 21, the actuating member 24, and the pawl 27 is approximately ten grams so that the actuating member 24 and the pawl'2'7 have a low inertia.

One end of a thin wire 30 such as a music wire, for example, is attached to the actuating member 24 on the side closest to the disc 21. The other end of the wire 30, which extends through a passage 31 in the hub 14 to allow rotation of the ratchet 11 without affecting the wire 30, is secured to a pivoted member 32, which is urged by a spring 33 to pull the actuating member 24 toward the ring 10. The pivoted member 32 has its end, which is furtherest from the pivot point, restrained from movement due to the force of the spring 33 by an armature 34 of a magnet 35.

The magnet 35 has a light duty winding adapted to receive electrical signals at an input 36 (see FIG. 3). The winding is grounded at 37. The input 36 has a switch 38 connected thereto. When the apparatus of the present invention is to be employed for receiving signals, the switch 38 (solid line position of FIG. 3) engages a contact 39, which is connected to a source 40 of electric pulses from which the apparatus receives its signals.

Whenever the magnet 35 has its winding energized, the armature 34 is moved about its pivot 41 (see FIG. 1) to allow the spring 33 to exert a force on the pivoted mem ber 32 whereby the actuating member 24 is moved towards the ring 10 by the wire 30. However, the pivoted member 32 also has its movement by the Spring 33 retarded by engagement of a finger or projection 42 on the member 32 with the high dwells or lobes of a cam 43, which is driven by the motor 15. Thus, the rotation of the cam 43 is synchronized with the rotation of the ratchet 11 since they are both driven by the motor 15.

With the winding of the magnet 35 energized and the cam 43 rotated so that the finger 42 is not resting on one of the high dwells or lobes of the cam 43, the spring 33 moves the pivoted member 32 to cause the actuating member 24 to be moved towards the ring 10 by the wire 30. The movement of the actuating member 24 towards the ring 10 results in a button or projection 44 (see FIG. 5) on the actuating member 24 contacting the pawl 27 to move the pawl 27, which is disposed closer to the ring 10 than the actuating member 24, from one side of the ring 10 to the other side of the ring 10 by advancing the pawl 27 through a slot 45 in the ring 10.

After the pawl 27 advances through the slot 45 in the ring 10, it engages the ratchet 11. With the pawl 27 engaged with the ratchet 11, the pawl 27 and the actuating member 24 are rotated together about the axis of the shaft 23 of the disc 21 since they are both attached to the disc 21.

The ring 10 has an annular support member 46 attached thereto on the side on which the ratchet 11 is disposed. The support member 46 has spaced upstanding pins 47 circumferentially disposed thereabout. Each pin 47 has a lever 48 pivotally mounted thereon. A spring 49 (see FIG. 2), which has one end secured to an arm 50 of the lever 48 and its other end attached to fixed structure such as the member 46, for example, by a pin 51, urges the lever 48 counter-clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 2) about the pin 47.

Each of the levers 48 has a latch shoe 52 cooperating therewith. Each of the latch shoes 52 is pivotally mounted on a cooperating pair of lugs 53 on the ring 10 by pins 54. Each of the latch shoes 52 has an upstanding portion 55 for; cooperation with an, arm 56 of the adjacentlever 48. 5.7, which has one end connected to a porar 58 of an arm-59' of the latch shoe 52 and its other end attached to a pin 60 on the ring 10, urges the latch shoe 52 clockwise (as viewed in FIG. 2) to maintain the upstanding portion 55 disposed in engagement with one side of the arm 56 of the lever 48 as shown in FIG. 2.

When in the position of FIG. 2, the lever 48 has its arm 50 engaging a resiliently biased electrical contact 61 to preventthe contact 61 from engaging an electrical contact 62..When, the upstanding portion 55 of the latch shoe 52 isv moved against the force of the spring 57 in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 2) about the pins 54, the spring 49 causes counter-clockwise rotation of the lever v48 about the pin 47 to move the arm 50 of the lever 48 away from the contact 61. Since the contact 61 is resiliently biased toward the contact 62, this allows the contact 61 to move into engagement with the electrical contact 62.

The counter-clockwise rotation of each of the levers 48 by the spring 49 is limited by engagement of an arm 63 of each of the levers 48 with an adjacent lug 64 on a restoring ring 65 (see FIG. 1). The restoring ring 65 is rotatably mounted :on the annular support member 46 by studs .66, which extend from the member 46, being disposed within arcuate slots 67 in the ring 65. A spring 68 holds the restoring ring 65 in the position in which it functions as a stop for all of the lovers 48.

The contacts 61 and 62, the lever 48, and the latch shoe 52 form a part of an information station. A plurality of these information stations (shown schematically in dotted lines in FIG. 4) is circumferentially disposed about the ring 10 with each of the latch shoes being spaced the same number of annular degrees from the previous latch shoe.

The latch shoe 52 is pivoted about the pins 54 to overcome the force of the spring 57 when engaged by a projection 69 of the actuating member 24 during rotation of the actuating member 24 by the ratchet 11. The actuating member 24 is :moved into engagement with one or more of the latch shoes 52 during its rotation by energization of the magnet 35 through electrical signals.

Cam lobes 70 (see FIG. 1) are disposed between the latch shoes 52 to insure that the actuating member 24 engages only the adjacent of the latch shoes 52 when the magnet 35 is energized. The cam lobes 70 are preferably formed in an annular cam ring 71, which is secured on the same side of the ring 10 as the actuating member 24 by brackets 72. Thus, the cam'lobes 70 guide the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 into engagement with the latch shoe 52 when the magnet 35 is energized. The cam lobes 70 also function to return to the actuating member 24 to its normal rotating path so that the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 will not engage the next latch shoe 52 if the electrical pulse signal to the magnet 35 should be extremely long, for example.

In order to stop rotation of the actuating member 24 after it completes one revolution, a stop 73 is mounted on the support member 46 above the slot 45 in the ring 10 and a slot 74 in the cam ring '71. The stop 73 is preferably secured to the support member 46 by suitable fastening means such as screws 75, for example.

The stop 73 has a spring leaf lock pawl 76 attached thereto for cooperation with the actuating member 24. The pawl 76 checks any rebound of the actuating member 24 when it engages the stop 73 and locks the actuating member 24 in its home or inactivated position.

If a start signal is applied to the magnet 35, the actuating member 24 is moved inwardly towards the ring 10 and is now able to pass the stop 73 as it is again rotated with the pawl 27 engaged with the ratchet 11. It should be understood that the pawl 27 is disengaged from engagement with the ratchet 11 by a cam 77 (see FIGS. 1 and 5), which is preferably fixed to the support member 46, prior to the actuating member 24 engaging the stop 73. Thus, the momentum of the actuating member 24 causes it to coast into engagement with the stop 73.

Considering the operation of the selection apparatus of the modification of FIGS. 1-5 when electrical signals are being received, a plurality of electrical pulse signals is supplied from the source 40 in sequence through the input 36 to the winding of the magnet 35 due to engagement of the switch 38 with the contact 39. The first electrical signal is the start pulse, which energizes the magnet 35 to cause the actuating member 24 to be moved toward the ring by the wire whereby the pawl 27 is moved into engagement with the rotating ratchet 11. This results in the actuating member 24 and the pawl 27 being rotated about the axis of the shaft 23 of the disc 21 by the ratchet 11.

The electrical pulse signals, which follow the start pulse, are sequentially spaced in accordance with the speed of rotation of the actuating member 24 and the circumferential spacing of the information stations. That is, each electrical signal is applied to the magnet to cause the actuating member 24 to engage the adjacent of the latch shoes 52.

Of course, the electrical signal must have a predetermined minimum value to energize the magnet 35. If the signal is not of this minimum value, the actuating member 24 remains in its normal rotating path and does not engage the adjacent of the latch shoes 52. However, if the signal is greater than a predetermined minimum value, the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 is moved into engagement with the adjacent of the latch shoes 52.

When this occurs, the upstanding portion 55 of the latch shoe 52 ceases to engage the arm 56 of the lever 48 to allow counter-clockwise rotation (as viewed in FIG. 2) of the lever 48 about the pin 47 because of the force of the spring 49. This results in the arm 50 of the lever 48 ceasing to engage the resiliently biased contact 61 whereby the contact 61 moves into engagement with the contact 62.

If the signal to the magnet 35 should arrive early, the cam ring 71 will prevent the projection 69' of the actuating member 24 from moving into engagement with the wrong latch shoe 52. When this occurs, the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 will ride down the cam lobe 70 into engagement with the correct adjacent latch shoe 52.

If the signal to the magnet 35 extends a longer time than it should, the cam lobe 70 will guide the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 out of engagement with the latch shoe 52 and on to the surface of the ring 71. Thus, any early arriving or long lasting signals to the magnet 35 are compensated for by the ring 71 and the cam lobes 70.

After the actuating member 24 passes the last of the latch shoes 52, the cam 77 disengages the pawl 27 from the ratchet 11. At approximately the same time, the actuating member 24 contacts the stop 73 to prevent further rotation of the actuating member 24. The spring leaf lock pawl 76 prevents any rebound of the actuating member 24 after it abuts against the stop 73.

If another cycle of revolution of the actuating member 24 is to occur, the new start signal will cause movement of the actuating member 24 toward the ring 18 whereby the pawl 27 again engages the ratchet 11. When this occurs, the actuating member 24 is advanced sufficiently toward the ring 10 to clear the stop 73.

In order for each of the levers 48 to perform its function during each cycle of rotation of the actuating member 24, it is necessary to return each of the levers 48 to the position in which the upstanding portion 55 of the latch shoe 52 engages the arm 56 of the lever 48 against the force of the spring 49. Accordingly, the restoring ring 65 is rotated with respect to the support member 46 so that each of the lugs 64 engages the arm 63 of the adjacent lever 48 to return the levers 48 to their original positions.

The restoring ring 65 is moved to the position in which the lug 64 engages the lever 48 by a solenoid 78, which has its armature 79 pivotally connected to a portion of the restoring ring 65. The solenoid 78 may be energized, for example, by actuation of a circuit breaker cam .(not shown) on the shaft 23 of the disc 21. The cam automatically causes closing of a circuit, which includes the solenoid 78, when the actuating member 24 nears the end of its cycle of revolution.

It should be understood that other means could be employed for actuating the restoring ring 65 such as a direct mechanical connection from the shaft 23 of the disc 21 to the restoring ring 65, for example. The restoring ring 65 is returned to its inoperative position by the spring 68, which normally urges the restoring ring 65 to its inoperative position in which the lugs 64 function as stop pins for the levers 48.

It should be understood that the signals from the various electrical contacts of the circumferential information stations are obtained before the restoring ring 65 is actuated. Thus, the sensing of the electrical signals from the information stations must occur before the restoring ring 65 is actuated.

When it is desired to employ the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 for sending signals rather than receiving signals, the lever 48 is locked in the position of FIG. 2 by supplying an electrical signal to the solenoid 78 of the restoring ring 65, This moves the lugs 64 of the restoring ring 65 into engagement with the arms 63 of the levers 48 to prevent any movement of the levers 48 by the springs 49 when the latch shoes 52 have their upstanding portions 5'5 removed from engagement with the arms 56 of the levers 48 through actuation of the latch shoes 52 by the projection 69 of the actuating member 24. In this locked position of the levers 48, the contacts 61 and 62 can not engage each other. The winding of the solenoid 78 is a heavy duty winding whereby the solenoid 78 may remain energized during one or more revolutions of the actuating member 24.

When the embodiment of FIGS. l-S is to be employed for sending electrical signals, the arm 59 of each of the latch shoes 52 cooperates with an adjacent bracket 81 at one end of a Bowden wire 82. Each of the Bowden Wires 82 has its other end connected to different portions of a device such as a typewriter of the single element printing head type, for example. An example of a single element printing head type of typewriter is shown in U.S. Patent 2,919,002 to Palmer. In the single element printing head typewriter, a plurality of mechanical movements occurs when each character key of the typewriter is depressed. Of course, the mechanical movements vary depending on the character key actuated so that the selected character will print.

Accordingly, movement of one or more of the brackets 81 to the dotted line position of FIG. 2 occurs when each character key is depressed. It should be understood that each of the brackets 81 forms a part of each of the information stations.

When the bracket 81 is in the solid line position, there can be no contact with the adjacent arm 59 of the latch shoe 52. Thus, the solid line position occurs when that particular mechanical portion of the typewriter to which the Bowden wire 82 is connected is not actuated by the depression of a particular character key.

If the bracket 81 is in the dotted line position, engagement of the latch shoe 52 by the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 results in moving the bracket 81 to cause an electrical contact 83, which is a spring leaf type biased away from an electrical contact 84, to engage the contact 84. The closing of the contacts 83 and 84, which form a part of each of the information stations, sends a read out signal or the like to operate the same mechanical portion on one or more other typewriters, for example.

Thus, the same character key will be actuated on the remote typewriter or typewriters as is depressed by the operator of the typewriter to which the Bowden wires 81 are connected. Accordingly, each of the remote typewriters prints the same character as is being printed by the typewriter having the operator.

When the selection apparatus of FIGS. 1-5 is used to send signals, the switch 38 is moved from engagement with the contact 39 into engagement with an electrical contact 85 (see FIG. 3). The switch 38 is actuated by the operator at the typewriter, for example, when the selection apparatus is to be used for sending rather than receiving electrical signals.

The electricalcontact 85 is connected by a lead 86 to a contact 87.. The contact 87 is engaged by a switch 88 whenever a keyboard bail member 89, for example, is moved by the operator of the typewriter when any character key on the typewriter is depressed. The switch 88 is connected to a condenser 90, which also is grounded. The condenser 90 is charged when the switch 88 is engaged with a contact 91, which is connected to a source of electrical potential.

Thus, when the switch 88 is moved into engagement with the contact 87, a single pulse is supplied from the condenser 90 to the magnet 35 whereby the magnet 35 is energized to move the actuating member 24 so that the pawl 27 engages the ratchet 11 to rotate the actuating member 24. No additional pulse can be supplied until the character key is released by the operator to remove the bail member 89 from bearing on the switch 88 whereby the switch 88 again engages the contact 91 to cause charging of the condenser 90.

A reed switch 92 has one of its contacts 93 connected to a source of electrical potential and its other contact 94 connected by a lead 95 to the lead 86. The reed switch 92 functions as a circuit breaker during rotation of the actuating member 24, One example of the reed switch 92 is the series 96 switch, which is sold by RBM Controls.

The reed switch 92, which is positioned adjacent the disc 21, is actuated to have its normally open contacts closed by permanent magnets 96 on the disc 21. Since the disc 21 is rotated when the actuating member 24 is rtated, the contacts 93 and 94 of the reed switch 92 open and close as each of the magnets 96 passes the switch 92. The magnets 96 are located so that the contacts of the reed switch 92 close each time that the actuating member24 is adjacent one of the latch shoes 52. Thus, the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 engages all of the latch shoes 52 during its cycle of revolution when the selection apparatus of FIGS. 1-5 is utilized to send signals.

Accordingly, the modification of FIGS. lpermits the selection apparatus to be easily utilized for either receiving electrical signals or sending them. When signals are to be received, the electrical signals are applied to the input 36 through the contact 39 from the source 40 to cause the actuating member 24 to be rotated by the ratchet 11- and the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 to contact one or more of the latch shoes 52 during the cycle of revolution of the actuating member 24 de pending on the signals supplied to the magnet 35. If the apparatus is utilized for sending signals, then the electrical signals are applied through the reed switch 92 to the magnet 35 to move the projection 69 of the actuating member 24 into engagement with all of the latch shoes 52 during its cycle of revolution.

Another embodiment of the information stations is disclosed in FIG. 6. Each of a plurality of levers or latches 97 (one shown) is preferably mounted on the annular support member 46 by a pin 98 (one shown). A spring 99, which has one end connected to the lever 97 and its other end connected to a stud or pin 100 on the member 8 46, urges the lever 97 counter-clockwise about the pin 98. Counter-clockwise movement of the lever 97 is limited by engagement of an arm 101 of the lever 97 with a stop pin 102, which is preferably fixed to the support member 46.

The latch or lever 97 has a second arm 103, which projects beyond the ring 10 toward an actuating member 104, which is the same as the actuating member 24 except for the omission of the projection 69. However, the second arm 103 is spaced from the normal rotating path (solid line position in FIG. 6) of the actuating member 104. The ends of the second arms 103 of the levers 97 are disposed in 'a plane parallel to the normal rotating path of the actuating member 104.

The lever 97'has a third arm 105, which engages an upstanding tab 106 on a rotatably mounted ring 107. A spring 108 constantly urges the tab 106 of the ring 107 into engagement with the third arm of the lever 97.

Considering the operation of the embodiment of FIG. 6 when electrical signals are being received, the energization of the magnet 35 is accomplished in the same way as described with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. l-S. Thus, the first signal results in the pawl 27 engaging the ratchet 11 to cause rotation of the actuating member 104. If the electrical signal is sufficient to energize the magnet 35 after the actuating member 104 begins rotation, the actuating member 104 is moved into a position (dotted lines in FIG. 6) where it engages the second arm 103 to overcome the force of the spring 99 and move the lever 97 clockwise about the pin 98. This results in the third arm 105 ceasing to engage the tab 106 of the ring 107 whereby the spring 108 causes rotation of the ring 107.

In its rotated position, the ring 107 has a second upstanding tab (not shown), which closes electrical contacts (not shown). Each of the other information stations, which are circumferentially spaced about the ring 10, has a ring that functions similarly to the ring 107.

In receiving signals, it is necessary to return the levers 97 to their original positions before another cycle of revolution of the actuating member 104 occurs. Accordingly, a rotatably mounted restoring ring (not shown), which may be similar to the ring 65, is employed to return the levers 97 to their original positions. Actually, the restoring ring moves the rings 107 so that their tabs 106 again engage the third arms 105 of the levers 97.

When it is desired to employ the embodiment of FIG. 6 for sending signals, the rings 107 are locked in a position whereby the tabs 106 do not engage the third arms 105 of the levers 97. Since the rings 107 actually have a combined thickness of approximately of an inch, a pawl (not shown) may be employed to cooperate with detents (not shown) in the rings 107 for locking them.

With the rings 107 not employed during sending of electrical signals, each of the levers 97 returns to its original position as soon as contact with the actuating member 104 ceases due to the force of the spring 99. With the rings 107 locked in position, the electrical contacts (not shown), which are used when signals are being received by the modification of FIG. 6, can not engage.

When the embodiment of FIG. 6 is employed for sending electrical signals, a projection 109 on an arm 110 of each of the levers 97 cooperates with a Bowden wire 111. The Bowden wire 111 is disposed in either a solid line position wherein the projection 109 can not contact it or a dotted line position wherein the projection 109 can contact it. The position of the Bowden wire 111 is dependent upon actuation of the device to which it is connected in the same manner as described with respect to the Bowden wire 82.

If the Bowden wire 111 is in the dotted line position, engagement of the second arm 103 of the lever 97 by the actuating member 104 moves the Bowden wire 111 to cause an electrical contact 112 to engage an electrical contact 113. The closing of the contacts 112 and 113 sends a read out signal or the like to operate a key of another typewriter, for example, in the same manner as described with respect to the contacts 83 and 84 of FIGS. 15. With the rings 107 locked in position during sending of signals by the modification of FIG. 6, each of the levers 97 returns to its original position as soon as contact with the actuating member 104 ceases due to the force of the spring 99.

When the embodiment of FIG. 6 is used to send signals, the switch 38 is moved to engage with the electrical contact 85 as described with respect to the modification of FIGS. l5. Thus, the actuating member 104 contacts all of the second arms 103 of the levers 97 during each revolution of the actuating member 104.

It should be understood that the actuating member 104 could be held in a position during its rotation by mechanical means (not shown), if desired, whereby it will engage all of the levers 97. In this arrangement, the actuating member 104 would be retained in the plane of the second arms 103 of the levers 97.

Referring to FIGS. 7-11, there is shown another embodiment for stopping rotation of the actuating member 24 whereby the actuating member 24 can continue to rotate unless a stop signal is supplied. In this modification, the ring 10 is replaced by a ring 114, which has a portion 115 connected thereto by a hinge 116. The portion 115 has a lateral projection 117, which is shown only in FIGS. 7 and 8 for clarity purposes, thereon for cooperation with the actuating member 24 before it is advanced to the hinged portion 115.

When it is desired to stop rotation (direction indicated by arrow in FIG. 8) of the actuating member 24 at the completion of any of its cycles of revolution, a stop signal is applied to the magnet whereby the actuating member 24 is moved toward the ring 114 so that the lateral projection 117 of the hinged portion 115 of the ring 114 will be engaged 'by the actuating member 24 before the pawl 27 reaches the hinged portion 115. This pivots the hinged portion 115 to the position of FIG. 9.

With the hinged portion 115 in the position of FIG. 9, the pawl 27 is cammed towards the side of the ring 114 away from the ratchet 11 by a cam surface 118 on the portion 115 of the ring 114. The pawl 27 is shown in FIG. 10 as it is being urged by the hinged portion 115, which is resiliently biased towards the position in which it is disposed in the plane of the ring 114, toward the side of the ring 114 away from the ratchet 11. In FIG. 11, the hinged portion 115 has returned to the plane of the ring 114 with the pawl 27 on the same side of the ring 114 as the actuating member 24.

This arrangement eliminates the need of the cam 77. However, stop means is attached to the ring 114 adjacent a slot 119, which is formed by cooperation of the hinged portion 115 with the ring 114. One example of the stop means is the stop 73 and the spring leaf lock pawl 76, which would be mounted to engage the pawl 27 rather than the actuating member 24 as in the modification of FIGS. 1-5 to prevent movement of the pawl 27 and the actuating member 24 beyond the slot 119 after the pawl 27 has been disengaged from the ratchet 11 by the hinged portion 115.

If it is desired to have the actuating member 24 make another cycle of revolution, no stop signal is applied to the magnet 35 so that the hinged portion 115 forms a continuation of the ring 114. In this position of the hinged portion 115, the pawl 27 remains engaged with the ratchet 11 so that it is not disengaged by the hinged portion 115 of the ring 114. As a result, another cycle of revolution of the actuating member 24 occurs.

The slot 119, which corresponds to the slot 45 in the ring 10, allows the pawl 27 to be moved from one side of the ring 114 to the other side when it is again desired to start rotation of the actuating member 24 after the actuating member 24 has been stopped. It should be understood that the ring 114 may be employed with either the 10 modification of FIGS. 1-5 or the embodiment of FIG. 6.

While the selection apparatus has been described with respect to a rotary device, it should be understood that the actuating member 24 of 104 of the selection apparatus could have a path other than rotary. It is only necessary for the actuating member to complete a cycle of movement.

An advantage of this invention is that it has low power requirements and reacts quickly to signals because the moving parts have a very small inertia. Another advantage of this invention isthat only one magnet is required to both connect the actuating member for rotation and to move the actuating member during rotation. A further advantage of this invention is its low cost. Still another advantage of this invention is that it may be utilized to either send or receive signals.

While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A selection apparatus including:

driving means;

a movable actuating member;

at least one information station having movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

control means;

means to actuate said control means whereby said actuating member is connected to said driving means for movement thereby;

said actuating member engaging at least said movable means of said one information station during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

means to actuate said control means during movement of said actuating member by said driving means to move said actuating member into engagement with at least said movable means of said one information station;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a cycle of movement of said actuating member by said driving means.

2. A selection apparatus including:

driving means;

a movable actuating member;

a plurality of spaced information stations with each having movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

a magnet;

means to energize said magnet whereby said actuating member is connected to said driving means for movement thereby;

said actuating member engaging one or more of said movable means of said information stations during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a cycle of movement of said actuating member by said driving means.

3. A selection apparatus including:

driving means;

a movable actuating member;

a plurality of spaced information stations with each having movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

a magnet;

means to energize said magnet whereby said actuating member is connected to said driving means for movement thereby;

said actuating member engaging one or more of said movable means of said information stations during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

means to energize said magnet during movement of said actuating member by said driving means to move said actuating member into engagement with said movable means of the adjacent of said information stations;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a cycle of movement of said actuating member by said driving means.

4. A selection apparatus including:

driving means;

a movable actuating member;

means to connect said actuating member to said driving means;

a plurality of spaced information stations with each having movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

a magnet;

means to energize said magnet whereby said actuating member is connected to said driving means for movement thereby;

said actuating member engaging one or more of said movable means of said information stations during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a cycle of movement of said actuating member by said driving means.

5. A selection apparatus including:

driving means;

a movable actuating member;

means to connect said actuating member to said driving means for movement therewith, said connecting means being normally disposed in an inoperative position;

means responsive to a first electrical signal to move said actuating member to cause said connecting means to become operative whereby said actuating member is moved by said driving means;

a plurality of information stations;

each of said information stations having spaced movable means disposed adjacent the normal path of movement of said actuating member;

said responsive means adapted to receive additional electrical signals synchronized with movement of said actuating member by said driving means and the spacing of said movable means of said stations whereby said actuating member may be moved into engagement with one or more of said movable means in accordance with the additional electrical signals received by said responsive means;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a cycle of movement of said actuating member by said driving means.

6. A selection apparatus including:

driving means;

a movable actuating member;

means to connect said actuating member to said driving means for movement therewith, said connecting means being normally disposed in an inoperative position;

a magnet responsive to a first electrical signal to move said actuating member to cause said connecting means to become operative whereby said actuating member is moved by said driving means;

a plurality of information stations;

each of said information stations having spaced movable means disposed adjacent the normal path of movement of said actuating member;

said magnet adapted to receive additional electrical signals synchronized with movement of said actuating member by said driving means and the spacing of said movable means ofsaid stations whereby said actuating member maybe moved into engagement with one or more of said movable means in accordance with the additional electrical signals received by said magnet;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion ofa cycle of movement of said actuating member by said driving means.

7.' A selection apparatus including:

rotating means; j

a rotatably mounted actuating member;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced information stations with each having movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member during rotation of said actuating member;

amagnet; means to energize said magnet whereby said actuating member is connected to said rotating means for ro tation;

said actuating member engaging one or more of said movable means of said information stations during rotation of said actuating member;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

8. A selection apparatus including:

rotating means;

a rotatably mounted actuating member;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced information stations with each having movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member during rotation of said actuating member;

a magnet;

means to energize said magnet whereby said actuating member is connected to said rotating means for rotation;

:said actuating member engaging one or more of said movable means of said information stations during rotation of said actuating member;

means to energize said magnet during rotation of said actuating member to move said actuating member into engagement with said movable means of the adjacent of said information stations;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

9. A selection apparatus including:

rotating means;

a rotatably mounted actuating member;

means to connect said actuating member to said rotating means;

a plurality of circumferentially spaced information stations with each having movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member during rotation of said actuating member;

a magnet;

means to energize said magnet whereby said connecting means connects said actuating member to said rotating means for rotation;

said actuating member engaging one or more of said movable means of said information stations during rotation of said actuating member;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

' 10. A selection apparatus including:

rotating means;

a rotatably mounted actuating member;

13 said actuating member adapted to be moved into the plane containing said movable portions of said information stations whereby said actuating member may contact one or more of said movable portions of said infiormation stations when said actuating member rotates;

and means to stop rotation of said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

11. A selection apparatus including:

rotating means;

a roatably mounted actuating member;

means to connect said actuating member to said rotating means, said connecting means being normally disposed in an inoperative position;

a magnet adapted to move said connecting means from its inoperative position to its operative position in response to a first electrical signal;

a plurality of information stations having movable portions circumferentially mounted in a plane parallel to the normal rotating path of said actuating member;

said actuating member adapted to be moved into the plane containing said movable portions of said information stations whereby said actuating member may contact one or more of said movable portions of said information stations when said actuating member rotates;

and means to stop rotation of said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

12. A selection apparatus including:

rotating means;

a rotatably mounted actuating member;

means to connect said actuating member to said rotating means for rotation therewith, said connecting means being normally disposed in an inoperative position;

means responsive to a first electrical signal to move said actuating member to cause said connecting means to become operative whereby said actuating member is rotated by said rotating means;

a plurality of information stations;

each of said information stations having circumferentially spaced movable means disposed adjacent the normal rotating path of said actuating member in a plane parallel thereto;

said responsive means adapted to receive additional electrical signals synchronized with rotation of said actuating member and the circumferential spacing of said movable means of said stations whereby said actuating member may be moved into engagement with one of more of said movable means in accordance with the additional electrical signals received by said responsive means;

and means to stop rotation of said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

13. A selection apparatus including:

rotating means;

a rotatably mounted actuating member;

means to connect said actuating member to said rotating means for rotation therewith, said connecting means being normally disposed in an inoperative position;

a magnet responsive to a first electrical signal to move said actuating member to cause said connecting means to .become operative whereby said actuating member is rotated by said rotating means;

a plurality of information stations;

each of said information stations having circumferentially spaced movable means disposed adjacent the normal rotating path of said actuating member in a plane parallel thereto;

said magnet adapted to receive additional electrical signals synchronized with rotation of said actuating member and the circumferential spacing of said movable means of said stations whereby said actuating member may be moved into engagement with one or more of said movable means in accordance with the additional electrical signals received by said magnet;

and means to stop rotation of said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

14. A selection apparatus including:

rotating means;

a pawl adapted to cooperate wtih said rotating means;

signal responsive means;

a member adapted to be actuated by said signal responsive means and rotatable with said pawl;

said member moving said pawl into engagement with said rotating means when said signal responsive means receives a first electrical signal whereby said member is rotated by said rotating means;

a plurality of movable means disposed adjacent the normal rotating path of said member in a plane parallel thereto;

said member being movable into engagement with each of said movable means if said signal responsive means receives an electrical signal when said member is adjacent each of said movable means;

and means to stop rotation of said member at the completion of a revolution of said member.

15. A selection apparatus including:

rotating means;

a pawl adapted to cooperate with said rotating means;

a magnet;

a member adapted to be actuated by said magnet and rotatable with said pawl;

said member moving said pawl into engagement with said rotating means when said magnet receives a first electrical signal whereby said member is rotated by said rotating means;

a plurality of movable means disposed adjacent the normal rotating path of said member in a plane parallel thereto;

7 said member being movable into engagement with each of said movable means if said magnet receives an electrical signal when said member is adjacent each of said movable means;

and means to stop rotation of said member at the completion of a revolution of said member.

16. A selection apparatus including:

a ring;

rotating means disposed on one side of said ring;

a rotatably mounted actuating member disposed on the other side of said ring;

a pawl normally disposed on said other side of said ring;

said pawl adapted to be driven by said rotating means when disposed on said one side of said ring;

said pawl and said actuating member being connected whereby said actuating member rotates when said pawl is rotated;

means responsive to an electrical signal for moving said pawl to said one side of said ring for engagement with said rotating means;

a plurality of movable means disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of said ring;

said movable means being disposed on said other side of said ring in a plane spaced from the normal rotating path of said actuating member and parallel thereto;

said actuating member moving from its normal rotating path into the plane of said movable means when said signal responsive means is energized in response to further electrical signals whereby said actuating member engages the adjacent of said movable means;

and means to stop rotation of said actuatin member 15 at the completion of a revolution of said actuating, member.

17. A selection apparatus including:

a ring;

rotating means disposed on one side of said ring;

a rotatably mounted actuating member disposed on the other side of said ring;

a pawl normally disposed on said other side of said ring;

said pawl adapted to be driven by said rotating means when disposed on said one side of said ring;

said pawl and said actuating member being connected whereby said actuating member rotates when said pawl is rotated;

means responsive to an electrical signal for moving said pawl to said one side of said ring for engagement with said rotating means;

a plurality of movable means disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of said ring;

said movable means being equally angularly spaced from each other;

said movable means being disposed on said other side of said ring in a plane spaced from the normal rotating path of said member and parallel thereto;

said actuating member moving from its normal rotating path into the plane of said movable means when said signal responsive means is energized in response to further electrical signals whereby said actuating member engages the adjacent of said movable means;

and means to stop rotation of said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

18. A selection apparatus including:

a ring;

rotating means disposed on one side of said ring;

a rotatably mounted actuating member disposed on the other side of said ring;

a pawl normally disposed on said other side of said ring;

said pawl adapted to be driven by said rotating means when disposed on said one side of said ring;

said pawl and said actuating member being connected whereby said actuating member rotates when said pawl is rotated;

a magnet responsive to a first electrical signal for mov ing said pawl to said one side of said ring for engagement with said rotating means;

a plurality of movable means disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of said ring;

said movable means being disposed on said other side of said ring in a plane spaced from the normal rotating path of said actuating member and parallel thereto;

said actuating member moving from its normal rotating path into the plane of said movable means when said magnet is actuated in response to further electrical signals whereby said actuating member engages the adjacent of said movable means;

and means to stop rotation of said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

19. A selection appartus including:

a ring;

rotating means disposed on one side of said ring;

a rotatably mounted actuating member disposed on the other side of said ring;

a pawl normally disposed on said other side of said ring;

said pawl adapted to be driven by said rotating means when disposed on said one side of said ring;

said pawl and said actuating member being connected whereby said actuating member rotates when said pawl is rotated;

means responsive to an electrical signal for moving 16 said pawl to said one side of said ring for engagement with said rotating means;

a plurality of movable means disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of said ring;

said movable means being disposed on said other side of said ring in a plane spacedfrom the normal rotating :path of said actuating member and parallel thereto; I

said actuating member moving from its normal rotating path into the plane of said movable means when said signal responsive means isenergized in response to further electrical signals whereby said actuating member engages the adjacent of said movable means;

means disposed between, said movable means and said actuating member to insure that said actuating member engages only the adjacent'of said movable means when said actuating member is moved from its normal rotating path; and means to stop rotation of said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

20. A selection apparatus including: i

a ring;

rotating means disposed on one side of said ring;

a rotatably mounted actuating member disposed on the other side of said ring;

a pawl normally disposed on said other side of said ring;

said pawl adapted to be driven by said rotating means when disposed on said one side of said ring;

said pawl and said actuating member being connected whereby said actuating member rotates when said pawl is rotated;

a magnet responsive to a first electrical signal for moving said pawl to said one side of said ring for engagement with said rotating means;

a plurality of movable means disposed circumferentially around at least a portion of said ring;

said movable means being disposed on said other side of said ring in a plane spaced from the normal rotating path of said actuating member and parallel thereto;

said actuating member moving from its normal rotating path into the plane of said movable means when said magnet is actuated in response to further electrical signals whereby said actuating member engages the adjacent of said movable means;

means disposed between said movable means and said actuating member to insure that said actuating member engages only the adjacent of said movable means when said actuating member is moved from its normal rotating path;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a revolution of said actuating member.

21. A selection apparatus including:

driving means;

a movable actuating member;

a plurality of spaced information stations with each having movable means adapted to be actuated by said actuating member during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

means to connect said actuating member to said driving means for movement thereby;

said actuating member engaging one or more of said movable means of said information stations during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

means to insure that said actuating member remains connected to said driving means during a cycle of movement of said actuating member;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of the cycle of movement of said actuating member by said driving means.

22. A selection apparatus including:

driving means;

a movable actuating member;

a plurality of spaced information stations with each having movable means adapted to be actuated by 5 said actuating member during movement of said actuating member by said driving means;

means to connect said actuating member to said driving means for movement thereby;

said actuating member and said connecting means having a total mass that is relatively small in comparison with the mass of said driving means;

said actuating member engaging one or more of said movable means of said information stations during movement of said actuating member by said driving 15 means;

and means to stop said actuating member at the completion of a cycle of movement of said actuating member by said driving means.

References Cited UNITED JOHN W. CALDWELL, Primary Examiner.

DONALD J. YUSKO, Assistant Examiner. 

